Early playing time and a school’s ability to produce NFL talent are couple factors prospects consider while making a college decision.
Safety DeShon Elliott likes his chances for both should he decide to be a Razorback.
“I feel like if I go to Arkansas, I can go to the NFL,” said Elliott, who is hoping to visit the Hogs on Saturday. “I can go there and play right away. I love their uniforms.”
Elliott, 6-1, 205, 4.53 seconds in the 40 yard dash, of Rockwall-Heath High School in Texas is one of the premier safeties in the nation and has scholarship offers from Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor, TCU and Iowa. The Hogs are showing strong interest and are likely to offer soon. Video highlights CLICK HERE
He and his father know Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is fond of his alma mater and keeps an eye on Arkansas for talent.
“My dad and I was talking about it,” said Elliott, who notes the Cowboys are his favorite NFL team.
In nine games this past season, Elliott recorded 66 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 interceptions, 2 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles and a recovered fumble.
He has cousins in Rogers and has attended family reunions in the area in the past until his grandmother passed away about four years ago.
He also likes that Arkansas has a strong reputation in the field he wants to study.
“They have a really good architectural design program and that’s what I want to major in when I go to college,” said Elliott, who's being recruited by running backs coach Joel Thomas.
His interest in architectural design stems from an online survey he took as an eighth grader.
“It told you what you most likely will be once you go off to college,” Elliott said. “When I did it it said I would be in architectural design. Once I did that I started looking into it and started liking it. I took my first class last year and I’m taking a class this year and I’m taking a two period class next year.”
Rockwall-Heath Coach Mickey Moss said Elliott was the most explosive hitter he’s ever had.
“He could be an outside linebacker and a nickel guy,” Moss said. “He’s very athletic, big, explosive quick with his first step He has great ball skills. Really has great vision. He’s big-time.”
His comfort level with a school will weigh heavily on his college decision.
“If I can’t be there for four years and can’t live there and feel like home then, I don’t want to be there,” Elliott said.